Means for packaging flat cigarettes



Nov. 16, I926. 1,606,834

G. F. HALANK MEANS FOR PACKAGING FLAT} CIGARETTES Filed Feb. 15, 1926 Patented Nov. 16, 1926.

UNITED STATES teaasn PATENT FECE.

GUSTAV FRITZ I-IALANK, OF DRESDEN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO FIRM: JOHANN CARL MULLER, OF DRESDEN-A, GERIVIANY.

MEANS FOR PACKAGING FLAT CIGARETTE-S.

Application filed February 15, 1926, Serial No. 88,502, and. in Germany February 21, 1925.

This invention relates to packeting machines and more particularly to means for inserting flat cigarettes (i. e. cigarettes of oval or like cross section) into packets or b res of rectangular section which are open at one end. The object is to insert the cigarettes in a box of the minimum free section in such manner that they lie tightly in the box and at the same time are visible in drawing forward the cigarettes. If for example the cigarettes were inserted in the packet as shown in Fig. 1 i. e. so that they lie flat then the width m of the packet must be made great as a result of which spaces 3 are left and on the packets being shaken as in transit the cigarettes become loose and tobacco drops out and the cigarettes become unsightly. If, however, the cigarettes \were packed in the manner shown in Fig. 2 i. e. with the major axis upright, then the packet would require to be of considerable depth .2, and the spaces g would allow of the cigarettes becoming loose in transit and moreover in pulling out the cigarettes they would not be visible. In practice packing of the cigarettes as shown in Fig. 3 has proved most satisfactory because with such an arrangement the measurements w and z are reduced to a reasonable extent and the cigarettes packed close together in inclined position remain tight in the packet as experience has shown yet on withdrawing a cigarette the contents are visible.

The present invention has for its object to transfer fiat cigarettes from the filling hopper of the machine into the packet in such manner that they are presented to the plunger which pushes them into the packet in inclined position.

For this purpose the cigarettes are led separately in succession into 'a channel by suitable means in known manner for example by a continuously or intermittently rotated drum entering the hopper which drum is formed in the periphery with a plurality of pockets each intended to receive a cigarette. The separate cigarettes pass from this hopper on to a conveyer band or the like moving transversely of the lengthwise direction of the cigarette. The first cigarette passing on to the conveyor band is led by means of the band against an inclined surface which arranges the cigarettes into the desired position. A projecting surface which may consist of projecting strips parallel to the conveyor band and located above the band and the inclined surface serves to limit this movement and the suc ceeding cigarettes are laid like scales on one another by means of the projecting surface. As soon as the proper number of cigarettes are arranged adjacent one another, aplunger movable in the lengthwise direction of the cigarettes pushes such predetermined number of cigarettes into the packet prepared for them. i 7

Figs. 1 and 2 show cigarette packages produced by two different arrangements of fiat cigarettes.

Fig. 3 shows a package produced by the filling devices of this invention operating on flat cigarettes.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the feed er, conveyor and assembler of the invention and Fig. 5 is a side elevation with parts removed showing mainly the means to force the assembled cigarettes into a package.

As shown the cigarettes located in the filling hopper of the packeting machine are taken from the hopper by a drum 6 which extends partly into the cigarette container and is provided on its periphery with a plurality of pockets intended each to receive a cigarette. The drum surrounded by a casing a rotates in the direction of the arrow Fig. a and leads the cigarettes in the pockets to a channel (i into which the cigarettes pass separately in succession. This vertical channel which is open at the upper and lowor ends delivers the separate cigarettes to a conveyor band 6 which passes over the rollers f and g. The upper flight of the band is moved in the direction of the arrow (see Fig. 4:) and feeds the cigarettes thereon to an inclined surface h. The cigarettes are properly directed or dressed on this inclined surface, a surface 2' serving as an abutment. This surface lies parallel to the upper flight of the band.

The succeeding cigarettes are placed after the manner of scales on and adjacent one another, the surface 2' serving as an abutment.

As soon as the desired number of cigarettes has been moved into this position the plunger 10 Fig. 5, transfers them into the packet ready to receive them which packet is held on a suitable table in the proper position.

The shaft 19 on which one of the rollers g is secured is driven from the main shaft m by means of a Worm a and Worm wheel 0. 0n the shaft Q carrying the other roller f, is mounted a belt pulley r from which the belt pulley s on the spindle t of the drum 7) is driven. I

The plunger 70 is also actuated from the shaft m a cam disc a being provided on this shaft, a roller 11 carried by a rod o co-operating with the cam disc, The rod 41 rests with its forked end on the spindle m and is connected at its other end to the connecting rod '0 of the plunger is, a spring o serving to maintain the roller '0 continuously in contact with the cam disc u.

In a packaging machine for cigarettes of oval or like cross section, a hopper, a drum formed circumferentially with pockets and projecting into said hopper, each pocket being adapted to receive and snugly bear a cigarette a casing surrounding the lower part of said drum and having a channel for the passage of one cigarette at a time, a conveyor below said channel, an inclined surface extending across and at one end of said conveyor and an abutment parallel to said conveyor and at an elevation slightly smaller than the major axis of a cigarette, said inclined surface and abutment in cooperation causing the cigarettes to arrange themselves on said conveyor in the manner of scales, and a plunger acting against the ends of said cigarettes and longitudinally thereof for periodicallyremoving a predetermined number of said cigarettes from said conveyor into a receptacle.

, In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GUSTAV FRITZ HALAN K. 

